Owner Dan Gilbert's failure to follow the 10-second rule could cost the Cavaliers a chance at bringing LeBron James back to Cleveland.

Rob Oller, The Columbus Dispatch

Owner Dan Gilbert’s failure to follow the 10-second rule could cost the Cavaliers a chance at bringing LeBron James back to Cleveland.

Had Gilbert counted to 10, taken a deep breath and allowed his anger to dissipate four years ago, there stood a better chance of him not firing off a bitter letter to Cavs fans, right after James announced on national TV that he was leaving Cleveland for Miami.

In that letter, written in a much-mocked Comic Sans font that belied the belligerent tone of the content, Gilbert assured Cavs fans they “don’t deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.”

Gilbert went on to say this “shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown ‘chosen one’ sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn.”

Gilbert also told the Associated Press, “He has gotten a free pass. People have covered up (for James) for way too long. Tonight, we saw who he really is.”

And late Sunday night, we saw who Gilbert really still wants: LeBron. According to the Cavs, a sudden increase in traffic to the team’s website led to the discovery and removal two days ago of an external link to an archived page that contained the scathing letter. Four years later. Hmm.

The link to the letter immediately was wiped clean, showing that the Cavs do not want to further risk alienating James, who was angered when Gilbert’s written attack appeared on July 8, 2010.

But removing the link does not erase the huge obstacle that could keep James from signing with Cleveland. Did Gilbert truly mean what he wrote, or was it a knee-jerk owner simply spouting his frustration? The answer could sway James, who reportedly has narrowed his choices to Miami and Cleveland, with some NBA insiders giving the edge to Cleveland.

As hard as it is for some — including me, until just recently — to believe James might actually return to Cleveland, several factors fall in the Cavs’ favor, including the ability to field a roster of younger talent that will remain viable for the next four to five years. Miami, meanwhile, being rather long in the tooth, will need general manager Pat Riley to pull some magical strings to free up the salary-cap space necessary to bring younger and better players to Miami.

Toss in a few more factors — such as LeBron losing the villain label he collected after humiliating Cleveland with “The Decision” — and suddenly picking the Cavs over the Heat does not seem such a stretch.

But then there is Gilbert’s letter, which is like a tarp tossed over a masterpiece painting, hiding the beautiful landscape beneath. Unfortunately for Cavs fans, who dream of James returning to lead the Cavs to an NBA title, the only thing that can remove the ugly covering cloth is an outpouring of forgiveness. On both sides, but mostly from James toward Gilbert.

ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst, who has a long history with James, said he believes the relationship between James and Gilbert is thawed but not healed.

“Both guys would have to come out and make a strong public apology,” Windhorst said, adding that neither owner nor player has fully done so in the past four years.

“I have talked to executives in the league who can’t believe it’s possible,” Windhorst said. “ They can’t see LeBron going back to Dan Gilbert. They can see him going back to Cleveland, but the Dan Gilbert part is the biggest hurdle.”

James is in a tough spot because bitterness and resentment always conspire against forgiveness, forming a false sense of satisfaction.

As Nelson Mandela wrote, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”

This decision is worth watching. LeBron must choose to forgive before he can choose between Cleveland and Miami.